Show us your.......newbie progress! [4 Sep 2012 - 4 Oct 2014]

[Nigelnaturist]

I'm with you Nigel. I'd rather do a hilly route than flat. The Leicester to Skegness ride I done, the last 40miles were flat and it was so boring and tedious!

Has anyone seen the wiggle flat out in the fens sportive? Pretty much a 150 mile route all flat. How boring would that be lol.

Just ran over to Cawood 2/3rds of the way to York, something like that, pretty flat, but for a change I did manage to keep my cadence and H.R. up, well till I had a cig at Cawood on the way back., Still I managed 16.8mph over the 41 miles, and sort of sprinting up the short inclines here on the estate at the end.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Raw data from the unit, 41.58miles in 2hr:29':00.74" 16.7mph Avg H.R. 141 Max 160, avg Cad 85 Ascent 900ft decent 1002ft. 21ft a mile pretty easy going really, and without to much wind it wasn't that bad, I had done roads over that way and it's been howling, and that was a struggle as there are a lot of open fields.

 

[Reece]

Just ran over to Cawood 2/3rds of the way to York, something like that, pretty flat, but for a change I did manage to keep my cadence and H.R. up, well till I had a cig at Cawood on the way back., Still I managed 16.8mph over the 41 miles, and sort of sprinting up the short inclines here on the estate at the end.

Nice one Nigel, good speed too.

I find I fall into the rhythm of cadence and for me the sweet spot is around 100rpm on the flats.

 

[AndyPeace]

Not much done on the weekend, as It was my folk's Birthday (they both have the same birthday!)Got a couple of hours in today. lowest heart rate yet on the commute...I even passed another cyclist too, on a hill whilst restraining my efforts (ok he was at least 10 years senior and on a BSO MTB) . My training session was more enjoyable, as it had a bit more pace today. Not my best time on the small loop I did ...but not surprising as it was a controlled effort (RPE 4), with four ten second sprint efforts. Rather than start the sprints on time, I selected four sections to sprint, including a descent...I didn't top any of my previous bests but my top speed on the descent was 3 mph faster (I only sprinted the first part of it).

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Nice one Nigel, good speed too.

I find I fall into the rhythm of cadence and for me the sweet spot is around 100rpm on the flats.

Thanks Reece.
I start bouncing anything above 95, which I think indicates the seat is too high, (so much for the leg being straight with the heel on the peddle, and its 4cm lower than that.
My avg gear inch as increased from 57.22" in Jan cad. 79.8rpm to 65.21" and 81.4rpm this month. avg speed up from 13.59mph in Jan to 15.79mph this month, but i have only been out 12 days so far this month, that might help explain the increase over last month, and the rides so far have not been so difficult.
Do you remember back in the winter I just seemed to get slower and slower.
Something else I noticed to day, my calf's ached for the first time whilst cycling, usually thighs or groin area.

Not much done on the weekend, as It was my folk's Birthday (they both have the same birthday!)Got a couple of hours in today. lowest heart rate yet on the commute...I even passed another cyclist too, on a hill whilst restraining my efforts (ok he was at least 10 years senior and on a BSO MTB) . My training session was more enjoyable, as it had a bit more pace today. Not my best time on the small loop I did ...but not surprising as it was a controlled effort (RPE 4), with four ten second sprint efforts. Rather than start the sprints on time, I selected four sections to sprint, including a descent...I didn't top any of my previous bests but my top speed on the descent was 3 mph faster (I only sprinted the first part of it).

My H.R. as steadily been coming down since Jan, though it's up a little at the mo, because whilst the rides are easier, I am putting more effort in them, trying to increase sprinting (well maybe not quite but you get the idea), theres a slight incline I do at the end of my rides (its a short 1/2 miles loop), that has for the first part a slight incline, I try and sprint up this no matter how far I have been.
I ended up with 12 p.b.'s today though one doesn't show on Strava.
http://app.strava.com/activities/61013548

 

[SWSteve]

So much traffic I seemed slow, I know I wasn't but the traffic was bad . At one point I had a fellow cyclist catch pretty close to me, my reaction 'Not today'. I absolutely demolished him so after a mile or two he was out of sight, even when getting slowed by traffic. To be honest I think the traffic may have helped me, but this is another example of why I shouldn't cycle to work - I get too competitive and will turn up sweaty and stinking.

Good ride, even if my tyres were a little flat

http://app.strava.com/activities/60951990#kudos

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Heres a few of things I have been working on.

 

[Mo1959]

Everyone seems to be speeding up and I feel like I am slowing down again. What's the secret guys? Nigel, maybe your couple of days off helped do you think? Nice photographs there

Bit grey and murky this morning but just about to head out. If legs feel as bad as yesterday, it will be another slow meander. Haven't even decided what route I am going. I'll just head out and see how I feel I think.

Catch you later.

 

[Reece]

Thanks Reece.
I start bouncing anything above 95, which I think indicates the seat is too high, (so much for the leg being straight with the heel on the peddle, and its 4cm lower than that.

I found the heel on the pedal and straight leg didn't work for me, especially when I went clipless. I ended up getting the girlfriends mirror beside me and setting the bike up on the turbo and fine tuning my position. Never seemed to have any knee aches or bouncing again since (touch wood). Was also the cheaper option to a bike fit, which I do keep toying with the idea lol.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I've noticed a lot of people use Strava, I'm guessing it must be good?

I'd say it's excellent at what it does - the question is do you really need it?

As you can see on here some riders are very into it and it makes for a good read and clearly it inspires them so good news there.

For me. I have zero interest in segments, PB's and how I rank against the rest of the world.

No right or wrong just personal choice.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Day off work today, so went and did 50 miles, lovely weather.

http://app.strava.com/activities/61126891

 

[Mo1959]

Day off work today, so went and did 50 miles, lovely weather.

http://app.strava.com/activities/61126891

Nice one. Have you got your new hybrid yet?

I attempted a seriously steep climb this morning but had to walk some of it. Even on a 34/28 gear I just couldn't turn the pedals. Thought I was going to have a heart attack trying. Not only does it get really steep but it twists and has potholes too. Might have more success on the hybrid with the triple ring. I will give it a try another day.

 

[RWright]

I took the day off yesterday. I just did not want to ride, the first time I have felt like that in a while. I did work a little harder than normal but just was not feeling like riding. I think it is my body telling me to take a break.

I haven't taken a day off riding in a while I think. I did go out for a little 3 mile walk and jog. I am going to do a little less riding and a little more walking for the next few days. I did feel like riding after my walk but it started raining. I am feeling just a little of the side effects of coming off the BP meds now so I am going to tone it down just a little while until I go back and see the Dr. on Friday. I still plan to ride some, just not as far and at a more relaxed pace.

It was a good day though, everywhere I went, people were saying wow you are losing weight. I didn't even say yeah, I have been sick. Just kidding.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Everyone seems to be speeding up and I feel like I am slowing down again. What's the secret guys? Nigel, maybe your couple of days off helped do you think? Nice photographs there

Bit grey and murky this morning but just about to head out. If legs feel as bad as yesterday, it will be another slow meander. Haven't even decided what route I am going. I'll just head out and see how I feel I think.

Catch you later.

Thanks
Not really, just pretty flat runs, and no real great distance.
I was like that early in the year, but just look at the distance your covering Mo, its bound to have some effect on speed.

I found the heel on the pedal and straight leg didn't work for me, especially when I went clipless. I ended up getting the girlfriends mirror beside me and setting the bike up on the turbo and fine tuning my position. Never seemed to have any knee aches or bouncing again since (touch wood). Was also the cheaper option to a bike fit, which I do keep toying with the idea lol.

I am not convinced a bike fit is a solution, I personally think for the most part they are a marketing ploy. I will try lowering it a little at a time.

 

[Nomadski]

I think a bike fit takes a lot of the guesswork out of your hands, it also gives a placebo esque feeling of satisfaction that everything is ok.

Thing is, bike setup is SO important. If you get it wrong, you get knee ache, back ache or any number of aches, and it could be a matter of cm's that makes the difference.

Since having the cleats Ive had pretty bad knee pain in the right leg that goes on for about 3-4 days pretty much stopping me from riding consecutively. I took a risk before the London To Brighton on Sunday by following the heel on the pedal trick and consequently raised my saddle about 2 cms (pretty significant). I finished the ride and the next day my knee was spot on, no pain at all.

I DID however get a little back pain going up the big one, which I haven't had on big climbs before, so my saddle perhaps needs dropping, maybe even a matter of mm's.

This extreme fine tuning can be done on your own, but I believe a bike fit, done right, would negate most of this trial and error. I'm not sure how most of them work, but I know the Specialized Concept Store ones end up setting your bike up and also giving you a document with exact frame / seat / stem etc measurements to the mm. Whenever I get my bike serviced I would plan on taking this sheet and saying, when done this is how I want it!

Guess what I want to say is if you want to get it right straight away, and not go thru trial and pain, they are probably worth every penny, especially when your balancing cycling with a busy schedule.